Set in Cuba in early 1959, although the historical context is deliberately avoided in its epic backdrop, the story follows the persecution of a poor guy who owes a few pesos to a loan shark and a thug who swear to get even with him, not so much because of the unpaid debt as because they don't want to set a precedent. The man's name is Miguel, and he seems to care as much as Santiago Nasar that the killers are hot on his heels with their half-tone shoes. On the day of his "double crime" (the story recreates those 24 hours), he has a couple of drinks in a bar, argues with his ex-lover, has sex with a young prostitute, puts up with a scolding from his friend Pedro for being negligent, walks, urinates, goes to bed...

Based on the life of Benny Moré, the film concentrates on a period in the early 1950s when Moré leaves the orchestra of Duany and starts his own 'Banda Gigante'. In flashback we learn of his success in Mexico. Moré is caught in the events connected to Batista's coup in Cuba. Also, he tours Venezuela, where he suffers the machinations of a vengeful businessman. After collapsing and being hospitalised, Moré swears off alcohol. Some years later, he encounters his old band-mate Monchy, fallen on hard times.